192 DATURA STRAMONIUM 



niiim are regarded as anodyne and antispasmodic, and in over- 

 doses it is a powerful poison. It has been found useful in neuralgic 

 and rheumatic affections, in gastrodynia and other painful dis- 

 eases ; and some have regarded it as a very valuable remedy in 

 mania and epilepsy; but in these diseases it not unfrequently 

 produces injurious effects. When used during the paroxysms of 

 spasmodic asthma it commonly gives great temporary relief and 

 facilitates expectoration. In the latter disease, and also in 

 dyspnoea, catarrhs, and in other cases, the leaves are generally 

 smoked like tobacco ; or inhalation from their infusion in warm 

 water is resorted to. But its use in these ways requires caution, 

 as it has proved highly injurious and in some instances fatal. In 

 Cochin China a strong decoction of the leaves is regarded as a 

 very efficacious remedy in hydrophobia. In India Datura alba is 

 frequently used by the natives for criminal purposes, the profes- 

 sional poisoners from this drug being called Dhatureeas. 



In the forms of ointment, extract, plaster, fomentation, &c., 

 the leaves and seeds of the different species of Datura have been 

 found useful in allaying pain, &c., when applied to painful 

 tumours, rheumatic enlargements of the joints, nodes, external 

 piles, &c. Locally applied to the eye, stramonium produces 

 dilatation of the pupil, and is therefore applicable in similar cases 

 to belladonna, although, in this country at least, it is generally 

 regarded as inferior. 



Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii, pt. 1, p. 562 ; Pharmacographia, pp. 412- 

 416; U. S. Disp., by W. & B., p. 839; Pharm. of India, p. 174; 

 Garr., Mat. Med., p. 328; Amer. Journ. of Pharm., Sept., 1865, 

 p. 341, and vol. xxviii, p. 38 ; Jobert, Ann. de Therap., 1863, 

 p. 28. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. 



Drawn from a specimen in the Royal Botanic Society's Garden, Regent's 

 Park. 1. Portion of plant in flower. 2. The corolla laid open. 3. The ovary 

 and stigma. 4, 5. Transverse sections of very young fruit in the upper and 

 lower portions. 6. Ripe fruit. 7. Transverse section of the same. 8. Seed. 

 9. Section of the same. (3 enlarged ; 8 and 9 much magnified.) 



